Just a few ingredients is all you need to make this super comforting and creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese. A low carb mac and cheese that is bulked out with cauliflower for extra nutrition, but still has all that flavour that you know and love. Ready in just over 30 minutes and a real family favourite, which extra veggies packed in.
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Mac and cheese is always a favourite in our house and I am yet to meet a kid that doesn't love it. In my never ending attempt to get us to eat more vegetables, I love finding ways to "sneak" vegetables into meals we already love, in a way that doesn't change the way it tastes.
So, mac and cheese with cauliflower was born. A gooey, cheesy sauce coating macaroni and chunks of cauliflower, with the crispy cheese topping. If you haven't tried cauliflower in mac and cheese before, then you are seriously missing out.
This cauliflower macaroni cheese is great for batch cooking as it freezes really well. Portion it out and store in the freezer for easy weeknight meals the whole family will love. You can also make the cheese sauce in bulk to freeze, making this cauliflower mac & cheese even easier.
If you are looking for some more pasta recipes, why not try our Microwave Pasta, Vegetable Pasta Bake or Mushroom Carbonara?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Macaroni - To keep it traditional, this is the pasta that you would use. But really, any pasta will work, so use what you have to make it even more budget friendly.
- Cauliflower - It wouldn't be cauliflower mac and cheese without it. Make sure that you cut it into small pieces, so it cooks well and it is more hidden that way - perfect for fussy eaters.
- Cheese sauce - A really good cheese sauce is essential to an amazing mac and cheese. It really is the star of the show. We have made our own cheese sauce, and give you the recipe for that. However, if you wanted to save time then you could use a mixture of creme fraiche and cheese.
- Parmesan - More cheese is better when it comes to mac and cheese, right? We added some parmesan on top, which gives it a really nice crispy topping. You could use a mature cheddar cheese instead.
Cauli Mac and Cheese Variations
This really isn't missing meat, and we love it as a meat free meal. However, if you did want to add meat then there are lots of options. You could mix in some leftover shredded chicken or even some chopped sausage. Why not try our Chorizo Mac and Cheese?
For extra vegetables, then frozen peas and sweetcorn are a good addition, and they usually go down well with kids. For some greens, you could put broccoli in at the same time as the cauliflower, or even add some chopped spinach.
For some extra flavour, you can roast the cauliflower first. This totally changes the texture and flavour of it and we really think it is worth the extra time. Why not try our Roasted Cauliflower recipe?
If you want to add some crunch to the top of the cauliflower mac and cheese, then you can mix the Parmesan with some panko breadcrumbs and sprinkle that on top.
How to Make Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Prep: Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C(fan)/375°F/Gas 5.
- Step 1: Put the macaroni into a pan of boiling water. Bring back to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: After 5 minutes, add the cauliflower to the pan of pasta.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce.
- Step 4: Drain the macaroni and cauliflower and put into a baking dish.
- Step 5: Pour over the cheese sauce. Mix well so that all the macaroni and cauliflower are coated.
- Step 6: Sprinkle over the grated Parmesan. Put into the oven for 20 minutes. The top should be browning and bubbling.
Serving Suggestions
Everyone know that garlic bread and pasta are a match made in heaven. Carby heaven! Either buy some ready made, or make your own easy garlic bread by cutting up some French stick and spreading it with a mix of butter, crushed garlic and dried herbs. Then pop it in the oven for 10 minutes. Why not try our Air Fryer Garlic Bread too.
For a vegetable side dish, why not try our Garlic Spring Greens, Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli, Microwave Broccoli or Sautéed Cabbage.
Storage
Store: Make sure macaroni cheese with cauliflower has completely cooled and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Once cooled, separate into freezer containers and it will keep for up to 2 months.
Defrost: This does freeze well, although the sauce my separate when defrosted, so make sure to stir it well before serving. You can defrost it in the fridge overnight.
Reheat: Reheat it in the microwave until piping hot throughout. You can reheat it in the oven too.
Tips For Making The BEST Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- The cheese sauce may look runny when mixed with the macaroni, but it will thicken up as it cools.
- For something a little different, we like stirring a couple of tablespoons of good quality BBQ sauce into the cheese sauce. It adds such a nice flavour.
- If you wanted to really hide the cauliflower, then you could blend it into the cheese sauce or shred it into a cauliflower rice.
- If you love some spice in your meals, you can add a sprinkle of red chilli flakes to the cheese sauce.
- Taste it before it goes in the oven and add some salt if you feel like it needs it.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you use gluten free pasta, then this is a gluten free dish. Make sure you grate your own cheese, as pre-grated cheese has a coating on it that might not be gluten free. Check for cross contamination too.
More Mac and Cheese Recipes
If you've tried this cauliflower mac and cheese recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Cheese sauce
- 250 g (8.75 oz) Macaroni
- 1 head Cauliflower - cut into small pieces
- 50 g (0.5 cups) Parmesan - grated
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 190°C/170°C(fan)/375°F/Gas 5.
- Put 250 g Macaroni into a pan of boiling water. Bring back to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, add 1 head Cauliflower to the pan of pasta.
- Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce.
- Drain the macaroni and cauliflower and put into a baking dish.
- Pour over the cheese sauce. Mix well so that all the macaroni and cauliflower are coated.
- Sprinkle over 50 g Parmesan.
- Put into the oven for 20 minutes. The top should be browning and bubbling.
Recipe Tips
- The cheese sauce may look runny when mixed with the macaroni, but it will thicken up as it cools.
- For something a little different, we like stirring a couple of tablespoons of good quality BBQ sauce into the cheese sauce. It adds such a nice flavour.
- If you wanted to really hide the cauliflower, then you could blend it into the cheese sauce.
- If you love some spice in your meals, you can add a sprinkle of red chilli flakes to the cheese sauce.
- Taste it before it goes in the oven and add some salt if you feel like it needs it.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Andrea says
I made this by roasting the cauliflower in Cajun seasoning first, it was a lovely meat free meal that my carnivore family enjoyed!
Savita says
Such a hearty family dinner, this was a hit in my family. Being vegetarian myself, loved the recipe.
Gail Montero says
Such a good-looking dish full of cheesy goodness! Love the addition of cauliflower.
veenaazmanov says
This Casserole is a treat. Cheesy, creamy and yummy for sure. My kids and family to enjoy this happy meal.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
Love cauliflower cheese and mac and cheese so this recipe is the perfect combination for a hearty dinner.
Ieva says
Delicious! We all enjoyed it last night! Very flavoursome and the cheese topping was beautiful and crispy! Will try and add some spice next time too!
Katherine says
I love this healthier twist on mac and cheese with added veg!
Mahy says
I am always up for a good califlower mac and cheese. Healthy and absolutely delicious!
Jade says
Im a new follower and found this recipe. Family of 6 here and this recipe was absolutely fantastic, i added the mustard and some Worcestershire sauce to my cheese sauce and sprinkled some parsely over the top of the cauliflower mac and cheese and everybody went back for seconds. Thank you so much!
nancy says
delicious vegan option to use cauliflower . my kid barely noticed that i swapped up her pasta haha
Wanda says
Such a clever way to combine cauliflower and cheese! I love the two together so I know this dish will be well received in my house!
Shelby says
Love the addition of cauliflower for an added boost of nutrients. Yum! Thank you!